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Acanthus polystachyus

Scientific Name: Acanthus polystachyus

Family: Acanthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Acanthus polystachyus

Acanthus polystachyus, also referred to as Bear's Breeches in some databases, is a flowering plant species belonging to the genus Acanthus.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is described as a spiny shrub.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acanthus polystachyus Delile
  • Family: Acanthaceae
  • Genus: Acanthus
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species, with varieties and subspecies identified.
  • Synonyms: Zonablephis polistachys Raf. is listed as a synonym. Acanthus pubescens (syn. polystachyus) is also mentioned.
  • Varieties: Several varieties are mentioned, including Acanthus polystachyus var. polystachyus and Acanthus polystachyus var. pseudopubescens Cufod.
  • Acanthus pubescens Thomson ex Oliv. is an alternative name.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Observed in locations such as Chimp's Nest, Kibale Forest, Uganda and Ethiopia (Arba Minch).
  • Native to tropical Africa.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Described as a spiny shrub reaching up to 4 meters tall.
  • Young stems are noted as having soft, short hairs.
  • Leaves are ovate to elliptic in shape, ranging from 11-35 cm in length and 6-16 cm in width.
  • Evergreen stoloniferous sub-shrub.

Traditional Uses

  • In traditional medicine, fresh leaves decoction of crushed Acanthus polystachyus are rubbed on wounds.

Additional Information

  • The genus Acanthus is the type genus for the family Acanthaceae.

Resources and Further Information

  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): Provides taxonomic serial numbers (TSN) for Acanthus polystachyus Delile (832757) and Acanthus polystachyus var. pseudopubescens Cufod. (833942).
  • Tropicos
  • The Plant List
  • IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
  • NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Herbarium
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • PlantSystematics.org
  • B and T World Seeds' database